Thursday, January 28, 2010

Memorize God’s Word

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.—Psalm 119:11

On the Bible Answer Man broadcast this week, I emphasized the significance of reading and meditating on God’s Word. Indeed, this year it is our intention at the Christian Research Institute to get you into the Word of God, and to get the Word of God into you.

I would like to challenge you, moreover, to take the next step beyond reading and meditating on God’s word and to memorize Scripture. Your memory is a dynamic and powerful muscle that will strengthen with use. As with any form of bodily exercise, the more you use a muscle, the stronger it becomes. And by memorizing God’s word, you’ll discover that God has fitted each one of us with the ability to remember quickly and with great retention.

As I have exhorted you to read the Bible not in bits but by Books, so I also want to encourage you to memorize not just a verse or two, but whole passages. Knowing whole portions of the Bible helps you meditate on them and thereby better comprehend the essence of the Scripture. One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Revelation 21, which I memorized in full years ago and find myself quoting often. Find a passage that holds great meaning for you and set your memory goals!

Hank said, "As with any form of bodily exercise, the more you use a muscle, the stronger it becomes." Do you have any "scriptural" evidence for this Hank? Or is this a scientific observation you've made which is contrary to the what the Bible states, as ALL scientific observations really are? Let's see what the Bible says about physical exercise: "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that is now, and of which is to come." - 1Timothy 4:8 KJV.

It is very revealing that in the newer modern language translations of the Bible, these ridiculous passages have been dishonestly excised, rewritten or edited beyond recognition from their original English translation in the KJV. Let's look at how a subtle change, the addition of the indefinite article to the passage is deceptively inserted to change the meaning of the sentence: "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that is now is and of that which is to come." - 1Tim 4:8 NKJV

Now let's look at another translation as the original interpretation of the passage is torn completely away from its original intended meaning: "for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and in the life to come. - 1Tim 4:8 NRSV. The NIV says basically the same thing.

The KJV has many faults but it does a very good job of giving a very literal translation of what the Greek New Testament really says. Checking the UBS Fourth Edition we find the KJV is the most accurate representation of the original Greek in this particular passage: "For the bodily exercise toward little it is profitable..." - This is a direct translation from Greek to English except the Greek word "gar"which means "for" never begins a sentence in Greek. So it would actually read "the for bodily... (no caps to begin sentences either in Greek). The point is that the Bible belittles bodily exercise and modern English translations try to hide this fact. And of course it proves once again that Christians always pick and choose what they want to believe about the Bible.

"It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in." This is in reference to a sphere.

Here is something else you might find interesting... "Most cosmologists (scientists who study the structures and evolution of the universe) agree that the Genesis account of creation, in imagining an initial void, may be uncannily close to the truth" (Time, Dec. 1976).

James,The word in question in Isaiah 40:22 is "circle." A circle is a flat two-dimensional object. The original Hebrew term used in this verse is 'chug' meaning circle. The same word is used twice in the Book of Job to describe heaven and sea, two areas that we have no reason to believe anyone ever considered spherical. Furthermore, Isaiah does not use the Hebrew word for sphere which is 'kadur', in 40:22 even though this utilization would have been much more appropriate if Isaiah had actually intended to convey a spherical planet. In addition to this logical analysis of the verse, historians determined long ago that a disc-shaped was a popular belief in the Middle East and also in Greece prior to the time of Aristotle. We even have ancient maps of Babylon and Egypt containing illustrations of a circular sea surrounding circular land. When you combine this tangible evidence with other biblical comments regarding the shape of the earth, the likelihood of Isaiah 40:22 referring to sphere is extremely remote.

The Genesis creation account conflicts with the order of events that are known to science. In Genesis the earth is created before light and stars, birds and whales before reptiles and insects, and flowering plants before any animals. From science, we know that the true order of events was just the opposite. All of the ancient creation myths posit the same type of nothing to something creation as the Bible does. Getting one thing right but everything else wrong doesn't argue for divine inspiration now does it?

What the Genesis creation accounts are really uncannily close to are the Babylonian and Egyptian creation myths. The first account parallels the Babylonian myth in which Marduk created the earth by splitting open the goddess Tiamat like a lobster. In the original Hebrew in Genesis it says, "Now the earth she was formless and empty..." The earth is referred to as a female deity much like in the Babylonian story. The second story in Genesis parallels the Egyptian myth starring Atum and his two daughters that were turned into trees in the Hebrew version. You really should read these ancient myths. I have them but I'm sure you can find them on the Internet.

You Bible believers get your apologetic arguments from the same websites and literature. I've seen all these arguments hundreds of times and I know how to refute them, all of them. I wish I had a dollar for every time I have proved to some hapless Christian such as yourself that the passage in Isaiah refers to a flat, circular earth and definitely NOT a round or spherical earth.

You really should ask yourself why Christian apologists make this argument if it isn't any good. Are they ignorant of what the original Hebrew says? Or do they know and are they purposely trying to deceive people? Either way apologists who make this argument can't be trusted. Anyone who does is either ignorant or dishonest or in my opinion both. Don't make this argument again James. You'll go from being ignorant to dishonest. We can forgive the first but not the second.

The problem James, is that even through you see that your argument fails and actually proves my point while disproving yours, you will still hang on to your belief that the Bible is infallible. No matter what level of sophisticated evidence contrary to your beliefs might be provided, you will always find a way to set aside reasoned thought in favor of what you have always been conditioned to believe. I have a way of proving this if you'd like to take my test.

Anyway it's almost impossible to get you people to admit when you are wrong. What do you say James? Do you have the guts to admit when you are wrong about something as important to you as this? I say you don't.

"Do you have the guts to admit when you are wrong about something as important to you as this? I say you don't."

I do have the guts to admit when I'm wrong, but not when it comes to denying what I know (even though you don't seem to think so)to be true. So yes, you're right in your last sentence. I know James will say the same. Boris, it'll take a miracle for you to believe that you were created by a Creator.

Thank God for young people like James and Don that have a strong backbone for what they believe! Well done guys! The world needs more mature, wise young people like you. Too many flippant teens out there now days. Keep it up! Have you guys heard of Alex and Brett Harris and their book Do Hard Things?

James,Once again you are blurring the distinction between faith and religious faith. I know what it would take to change my mind about the different things I believe. I hold no beliefs that I am not willing to challenge or change. You do. That is the difference between religious faith and regular faith and it is a VERY big difference. I'll prove it.

Suppose a supernatural Being came to Earth, announced he was God, said it was time for the world to end and everyone had to follow him or be tortured in hell for all eternity. The Being performed many miracles that were witnessed by the entire world. He turned the oceans into fire, raised mountains, raised dead people back to life and did whatever people wanted to prove he was God. Then someone asked God which God he was and what was the true religion. God responded that he was Allah, the God of Islam and that the Koran was the holy Word of God and all other holy books including the Bible were blasphemous. What would James and the other Bible believers do? Would they follow this God or would they think it was all a trick and refuse to follow Allah? Suppose Allah then punished all who would not follow him for three weeks in hell and then let them out for one more chance to repent. Would James and the other Bible believers then follow Allah? I think we know most would not. This proves beyond any question that no matter what level of sophisticated evidence might be provided, you will always find a way to set aside reasoned thought in favor of what other people already preconditioned you to believe.

So you see I already know that no matter what I say to you it won't change your mind. Now however, you've been exposed to depth of your own brainwashing by my little example. What is it like to know that you CAN'T change your mind and that it is being controlled by superstitions OTHER PEOPLE have put in your head? You really need to gain control of your own thoughts and free yourself of all these crazy dogmatic beliefs. They aren't true, none of them. You've seen your very best arguments totally destroyed on this blog by an atheist. You really need to ask yourself why you still believe. It isn't evidence that made you believe. It's fear. The people who indoctrinated you appealed to the most base of human emotions: cowardice. Go back and tell them you're not afraid. Be a man for the first time in your life. Eal men know Jesus never existed.

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”

Don,The passage in Ephesians is just one of the Bible's may defenses against free inquiry and critical thinking. Here is an honest rewriting of the passage:

"Finally, my brethren, be weak in your mind and in power of your reasoning. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand the wiles of the enlightened. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the literati, against thinkers, against the doubters of the darkness of this world, against scientific theories in high regard. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to remain ignorant in the face of progress, and having proved nothing, to know. Stand therefore, having your loins wrapped in pudicity, and having the chinstrap of self-righteousness. And your feet fettered with the reparation of original sin. And above all, brandishing the buckler of bigotry wherewith ye shall be able to deflect the darts of debate. And take the visor of dogma and the foil of faith, which is the ward of god." - Timo Ostrander

If the Bible is really the Word of God why is it so easy to make fun of it? Christianity justifies its inability to prove its ridiculous claims by extolling the virtue of faith and thus reinforces the abandonment of reason. It also vilifies unbelievers because presumably unbelief is morally wrong. "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?" - 1Cor 6:14.

Once there is a desire to believe the metaphysical doctrines of religion, the mind is ripe for self-deception. Self-deception has essentially two components. First, a person forms a belief in violation of his usual standards of evidence and judgment - what philosophers call epistemic norms. Second, a desire with content related to the content of the belief causes deviation from the healthy belief formation process. Because vilification, fear, and desire bring about religious credence - while that credence is at odds with the usual standards of judgment - the process by which religious beliefs come about is self-deception... Fear, not curiosity is the driving force. - Neil Van Leeuwen

People believe Jesus Christ actually existed because they believe the Bible was written to be understood as history. If that were really true however, there would be some solid historical evidence from outside the Bible that would confirm some of the grandiose claims made about Jesus in the Bible. In other words if we didn't have the Bible we should still have some record of some of the things Jesus did, since so many great crowds supposedly saw him, so many people were supposedly healed by him, so many people followed him, so many were fed by him, so many demanded he be crucified - for doing all these wonderful things. Since I don't believe the Bible, like so many other people don't and haven't over the years, how would you convince an unbeliever that Jesus even existed without refereeing to the Bible? Who, outside of the Bible, lived during the time Jesus did and wrote something about him? If you honestly research this question you'll find out why real men don't believe Jesus existed. A person has to believe in angels, demons and Satan to believe the gospel stories. Good luck pushing those absurd beliefs in the 21rst century.

"If the Bible is really the Word of God why is it so easy to make fun of it?"

Because intellectual atheists like you poke fun of the Truth. (I know, I know, you don't believe that.) It also could be easy to poke fun of Atheists. The verse you quoted from 1 Cor. is talking about marriage between a believer and an unbeliever.

"Good luck pushing those absurd beliefs in the 21rst century."Thanks... glad to know you wish me the best. ;)

Don,"Truth" in the Bible does not refer to facts or sincerity but rather to correct scriptural doctrine: "Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?" - (1John 2:22). The use of the word "truth" to mean acceptable doctrine makes the doctrine more attractive to a potential convert, while "lie" serves to alienate believers from the surrounding world.

"They are from the world; therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and whoever is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." - (1John 4:5-6)

We disagree on the definition of truth Don. Despite what your desperate, dishonest and delusional cult leaders have led you to believe, the Bible is full of scientific and historical inaccuracies so it can't be true. I know you've been convinced that the Bible has magical prophetic power apparently proved by all the events that seem to be foretold in the Bible and then are reported in the same Bible to have actually taken place. None of these events however, can be confirmed as actually have taken place anywhere else but the Bible. Before we make the claim that something supernatural occurred such as divine inspiration, simple common sense tells us that we must rule out the ordinary, far more plausible account that the events are fictional, written to conform to earlier prophecies.

I'd like to see you make fun of people who don't believe in the absurd things you Bible believers do. People who believe in angels, demons, devils, angels, talking animals and vegetation, giants, dragons, unicorns, cockatrices, firey serpents, seraphs, satyrs, flying serpents, Satan, that demons cause diseases and so on are going to have a difficult time poking fun at anyone else especially people who don't hold their ridiculous beliefs. It's just absurd that you people would make all your arguments against science to prove that your God is still somehow necessary to explain something (who knows what?) as if the existence of a God would automatically prove all these other ridiculous invisible boogymen must also exist and that the Bible must also be true. Do you ever stop and think just how many very implausible things one has to believe to believe the Bible is actually true? Think about that for a while and get back to me.

"Do you ever stop and think just how many very implausible things one has to believe to believe the Bible is actually true?"Yes, I have. I believe people who think the Bible isn't true believe in many implausible things.

It is not of my character to make fun of people and their beliefs, even though we don't agree. I want and desire to emulate Christ more and more each day. With that said, we can agree to disagree and be friends, even though we disagree on topics. What do you say? :-)

Boris, even James Cameron knew better then that. We know Jesus was a real historical figure. Rather then being closed-minded about your conclusions, seek the hard evidence. Most historians and world scholars know he was real. Secular written accounts can be verified but you just have to seek them out. It's get's even better. There was a show on the discovery channel that had experts from many fields verify how he died on the cross based on actual medical examinations so we can now verify how he suffered. Research the whatever historical manuscripts you get your hands on, look into the archeology, the locations, old church history, and so on. We have real eye-witness accounts that can be accounted for on many areas that even a good lawyer will be able to eventually come to the same conclusion. You will find that history does not lie and that millions are not chasing imaginary men.

Anonymous,James Cameron knew better? I suppose you think ham actor and anti-Semite Mel Gibson knows better too. You claim you know Jesus was a historical figure but HOW exactly do you know that? You're the one who is being closed minded about their conclusions and hasn't sought any hard evidence. You claim secular accounts have been written but that just isn't good enough. It's nothing but smoke and mirrors. If secular accounts were actually written then you need to tell me WHO wrote these accounts, WHEN they were written, WHAT they said exactly and WHO produced the first copies of their work with these golden passages in them? Now I'm way ahead of you. The secular writers desperate Christian apologists always trot our to support their claims are Josephus, Pliny, Tacitus and Suetonius, four men who did not even live during the time Jesus supposedly did and all of who were born sometime after Jesus supposedly died. There isn't one account from any secular writer who lived during the time Jesus supposedly did that Christian apologists can point to or we know they certainly would if there were even one. So there is no contemporary evidence for the existence of Jesus, only hearsay.

Then when these men wrote is also a good argument against a historical Jesus. Josephus wrote on 90 CE and the others in 112 CE - 60 and 82 years AFTER the years Jesus supposedly died! That is not any kind of evidence that would be acceptable in a court of law or anywhere else. Need I say more?

Then what these men wrote is also every interesting. Tacitus, Pliny and Suetonius don't even mention Jesus or Jesus of Nazareth by name but only discus the existence of Christians. People have followed many dying and resurrecting saviors. Just because a figure has followers doesn't mean he or she existed. Did Adonis, Attis, Dionysus or Mithras really exist just because they had followers including 12 disciples?

Also where did these secular references actually come from? Why the Church produced all of these documents. The entries in the works of Josephus did not appear until the 4th century when Church propagandist and admitted liar Eusebius magically produced a copy of Josephus' works no one had ever seen before. Church Father Origen had previously written there were no references to Jesus in the works of Josephus. The reference in Tacitus didn't appear until the 15th century! Everything I've said can be easily verified.

I challenge YOU to stop being so closed minded and look past the smoke an mirrors and vague claims of Christian apologists. Once you see what they are throwing out there as evidence for the "best attested event in history" you'll see there is no evidence at all for a historical Jesus. All you have is the Bible. If there really were anything else we would never hear the end of it and we would all certainly know what it is. We don't.

As far as the show on the Discovery Channel, there was also a show hosted by the Naked Archaeologist on that channel which proved that there was no evidence from skeletal remains in Palestine or anywhere else that crucifixion was ever used as a method of capital punishment. If the Romans actually crucified people why did the historians of the day deny it and why is there no evidence of crucifixion from human remains?

I don't think you know what history is. The past no longer exists for us and history belongs to those who wrote it. All we can truly learn about the past comes from science, archaeology, anthropology, geology and so on.

at this point it would be called foolishness to continue attempts to save boris' soul with arguments. i understand everyones desire for this of course but at some point we need to recognize that we have been warned about this kind of people.

Matthew 7:6 "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

this does not mean that boris is a dog or a pig but only that he does not have any desire to accept Christ's sacrifice on his behalf. to continue to "word battle" with him or try to meet his argumentative challenges is simply unfruitful.

the scriptures also say that men will ultimately not be won over by knowledge and words but by the gospel, the Holy Spirit. scripturally, the only wise thing to do here is to pray for him. that is the most powerful way to affect change in him. the only way at this point. he has made it clear that everything else is futile.

is he not trappling your words and turning to tear you to pieces?

as much as our hearts reach out to him, and as much as we may be frustrated by his posts, the only appropriate thing to do is avoid a pointless use of space and simple pray for him. that is it. he has come here for a fight and all we're doing is giving it to him. the only one who can win this fight is going to be the Spirit of God. so lets step aside by partnering in prayer and let the Lord do the work.

One of the most condescending things a Christian can do to an atheist is to make a point of announcing that they'll be praying for us. Atheists don't believe in the supposed power of prayer, but even believers can't really think that prayer will be more effective for having been announced. So what's the purpose? Some believers say that it's to express well-wishes, but people say that they'll pray for someone when the person is sick or having trouble. One way or another, the believer appears to be expressing superiority over atheists in a passive-aggressive manner. That suggests they weren't interested in serious conversation to begin with.

Serious conversation can only be based on friendship that is forged from a foundation of honesty and real respect. Prayer has everything to do with well-wishes. For example, when my mother-in-law lay on a cold table in a hospital in the middle of (quadruple bypass) heart surgery, your atheists had nothing to offer her as far as life answers, a hope for a future after-life in Heaven, a GOD, or even a PRAYER. How pathetic is that? Suffice it to say, when push came to shove...atheists were MIA in my mom-in-law's worst hour. You can't explain that away with lame excuses and fear-based, scientific dogma. Sorry about your luck.

Prayer announcements never make anyone superior to another because we all have 'equal human worth and dignity' from a truth stance.Why do you worship and idolize mere science, research, gadgets, technology, new discoveries, cutting-edge ideas, etc...? Success has become a modern fetish in our culture. It is very important to note, earthly things have no value in Heaven's economy. After the Rapture, there will be no money (cash, credit cards, etc.) in Paradise.

Rules of Conduct: "Abstain from all appearance of evil" (1 Thess. 5:22). Shall we file a Restraining Order (P.O.), press charges and ban all stalkers from this site? What Would Jesus do?

I implore you to not ruin your testimony by debating (toxically defending the faith) on this blog. Remember that 'speak the truth in love' does not mean take each line of your "enemy" and type a kicky rebuttal to it. No matter how witty & clever you think you are being, the fact is you're coming off as arrogant. It's not cute to justify strife & be in denial. Your "word battle" is a bad example to Newbies of the faith. Drill down into your own childhood wounds & pray for healing there. Jesus used parables about planting seed for good reason. You can't pull up the seed before the harvest. Patience is a virtue. Ultimately, you can't fix anyone but yourself.

Anonymous,As usual there's so much wrong with your post I don't know where to begin. People don't have to be friends or even like each other to have a serious conversation. In fact it's often difficult for people to have really serious conversations with people they have close friendships with. So we could say that statement of yours is just about the complete opposite of the truth. Again.

It's very true that we atheists don't try to instill false hopes in other people about things we have no evidence for. That's not pathetic. We also don't try to frighten people with threats of unimaginable violence and torture in an afterlife for not believing what we do. That's not only pathetic it's downright evil and the people who do this are rotten to the core and sick in the head.

Uh for you information there is no such thing as "scientific dogma." The only thing science adheres to is scientific method which states that no finding is the final word and all findings are subject to future revision or even outright rebuttal. So there could be no such thing as a dogma in science because nothing is ever above question. Quite unlike your religion with all its many dogmas and doctrines which must be adhered to without question. Science asks questions that may never be answered and religion gives answers that may never be questioned. I'll stick with science. You stick with your mind numbing dogma which has been specifically designed to keep you from questioning things.

I don't worship or idolize science or anything else. I have great respect for science and much admiration for all the scientists who work so hard so the rest of us can have such easy lives compared to our ancestors, including you, you ingrate. I wish doctors would just refuse to treat creationists as patients. If I was a doctor I would ask every patient of they were a creationist. If they said they were then I would tell them that because all of my medical expertise is based on natural selection and therefore any prescription I write would be based on that. So I can't treat creationists because the treatment is contrary to their religious beliefs. Have a nice day and perhaps you should obey your Bible and see someone to cast out your demons and pray for you. Bye bye. Next.

Despite what your cult leaders have told you and the claims of people like C.S. Lewis and Lee Strobel there are no known verifiable instances in which an adult atheist has even converted to Christianity. This simply doesn't ever happen. You people are wasting your time. You'd have to give an atheist a lobotomy to convert him.

This is priceless! I am sorry that you seem soooo self-deluded. I kid you not.

Boris, if that is really your name? Haha! I think thou dost protest too much! What are you hiding exactly? How come you have come to Hank's blog to wage War with him? Those are your words, not mine. YOU said you are here to be at WAR with Hank! How retarculous of you, 'my near & dear friend!'

Your toxically scientific cult leaders seem to be all up in your mix like Betty Crocker! Next, you'll be telling me that you are stalking Hank because you believe you're the rightful co-parent of his precious 13 children! *ROFL* Is that what happens on those infamous cruises? *laugh fest* You aren't fooling one soul, buddy! Believe Me! Your test-tube, artificially conceiving, science-based, brood machine, brainwashing jargon doesn't fly in the real world! Please get a clue!

If you don't want to convert to Christianity, that is on you. It's your soul responsibility. No one is twisting your arm. God Almighty will hold you accountable personally for your life, your choices, your decisions, and eventually your eternal HOME.

I have to ask you a hypothetical question just out of concern and profound caring. What if the entire 'Body of Christ/global church' gathered around you in a loving circle with you standing smack dab in the middle of this circle? What if we asked you what YOU think we should do with your bad attitude and 'rotten to the core' vibe? Would you face your evil 'acting out' when confronted by so many Christians in a spirit of outrageous forgiveness and outrageous GRACE???!!! BAM! Now you are starting to see JESUS' Brilliant light. Aren't you, Brother?

Ok. So no one of the atheist ilk had the common decency to even PRAY for my amazing Mom-in-law when doctors brutally cut her chest cavity open in an intrusive manner of the highest order! Furthermore, have YOU prayed for Survivors of the Jewish Holocaust lately? **re-Powers my Prayer Vigil for All Jews Now** I'm just sayin'! Put up or shut up! Do you want some cheese to go with that WHINE!? *LOL*

You'll be lucky/blessed/fortunate if Hank doesn't file a police report on you for harassing him on his own blog. They just might lock you up and throw the key away!!! [Hilarious beyond all words]:-)!!! F.Y.I. - This is not a secular blog where you can act criminally and just get away with it. We are true Change Agents for the Culture here, bud! The Job Description for Christians is the Rapture follow-through! Hello!

This is priceless! I am sorry that you seem soooo self-deluded. I kid you not.

Boris, if that is really your name? Haha! I think thou dost protest too much! What are you hiding exactly? How come you have come to Hank's blog to wage War with him? Those are your words, not mine. YOU said you are here to be at WAR with Hank! How retarculous of you, 'my near & dear friend!'

Your toxically scientific cult leaders seem to be all up in your mix like Betty Crocker! Next, you'll be telling me that you are stalking Hank because you believe you're the rightful co-parent of his precious 13 children! *ROFL* Is that what happens on those infamous cruises? *laugh fest* You aren't fooling one soul, buddy! Believe Me! Your test-tube, artificially conceiving, science-based, brood machine, brainwashing jargon doesn't fly in the real world! Please get a clue!

If you don't want to convert to Christianity, that is on you. It's your soul responsibility. No one is twisting your arm. God Almighty will hold you accountable personally for your life, your choices, your decisions, and eventually your eternal HOME.

I have to ask you a hypothetical question just out of concern and profound caring. What if the entire 'Body of Christ/global church' gathered around you in a loving circle with you standing smack dab in the middle of this circle? What if we asked you what YOU think we should do with your bad attitude and 'rotten to the core' vibe? Would you face your evil 'acting out' when confronted by so many Christians in a spirit of outrageous forgiveness and outrageous GRACE???!!! BAM! Now you are starting to see JESUS' Brilliant light. Aren't you, Brother?

Ok. So no one of the atheist ilk had the common decency to even PRAY for my amazing Mom-in-law when doctors brutally cut her chest cavity open in an intrusive manner of the highest order! Furthermore, have YOU prayed for Survivors of the Jewish Holocaust lately? **re-Powers my Prayer Vigil for All Jews Now** I'm just sayin'! Put up or shut up! Do you want some cheese to go with that WHINE!? *LOL*

You'll be lucky/blessed/fortunate if Hank doesn't file a police report on you for harassing him on his own blog. They just might lock you up and throw the key away!!! [Hilarious beyond all words]:-)!!! F.Y.I. - This is not a secular blog where you can act criminally and just get away with it. We are true Change Agents for the Culture here, bud! The Job Description for Christians is the Rapture follow-through! Hello!

Heeeeyyyy! I have a great respect for true religion and spirituality. I hear they are giving out Holy Spirit lobotomies at your nearby, well-balanced, healthy doctrinally-based church! It won't even hurt! Then just head over to your local Denny's for a free Grand Slam breakfast today! Hurry...don't be late...we wouldn't want you to miss out on something so Providential in the full scope of things! *AhHa...Gotcha...HaHatehteehee*

You are a Blast, Boris. Srsly! Don't ever stop being special you. I mean it! *sincere grin*

OUTRAGEOUS MERCY: Whom to Pray for~~~"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men." (1 Timothy 2:1)

Let no one ever say that he has nothing to pray about, or that he doesn't know how to pray in God's will, for it is always in the will of God to pray for other people. This is a great gift that any Christian can give, even if he is penniless or bedridden. There are none so poor as to be unable to afford such a gift, nor can even the wealthiest give a finer gift! Prayer is Power, Pray for World Peace! The Peace that can only come through Jesus Christ's Return! Soon and very Soon! Selah!

Anonymous,I understand how you feel, but hard (and dare I say brutal) language is NOT going to change Boris.

Respectively saying this, If you call yourself a Christian, LIVE LIKE ONE!Did Jesus ever speak a harsh word?Sure He might have been angry at points, but the Bible says that Jesus was without sin.That means that He was never harsh.

So I challenge you (if you are a Brother/Sister in Christ) to strive to live and act like Him.

Excuse YOU! With all due glorious respect...I'm not being harsh or brutal. Please refer to the passages where Jesus kicked over the tables of the money-changers in the temple and cracked a bullwhip! God is not codependent and he does not enable debates that are nothing but sin. I said all I said because I, as a real Christian, do care and love everyone immensely...including you. Jesus loves Jews. Jesus is a Jew as well as being God! Jesus is alive and loves all of you more than you could ever imagine!!! Love has to be tough sometimes. God bless "Captain Obvious" who is affectionately known as Brutis. Oops! I mean Boris.~hehe~ *about to PRAYER dive on Boris' behalf like it's an Olympic Sport y'all* Now go take on the Change Agency of agape' love! Be encouraged ALL!

To quote part of what Boris said here: "There are no known verifiable instances in which an adult atheist has even converted to Christianity. This simply doesn't ever happen. You people are wasting your time. You'd have to give an atheist a lobotomy to convert him."

There are hundreds of verifiable instances where many atheists were converted over to Christians, not because they were forced to but by there own choice and having an open heart to seek deep the truth. You sir need to step out of your closed-in world and get to know people out in the world if you are going to assume this had never taken place with anyone. There are over six billion people living on earth and to be so certain of what you claim you must be God. I know what i claim because it had been verified through peoples books, family and friends bearing witness, personal journals, people on TV, phone conversations, need i go on. Please stop with the delusions.

See if you can comprehend this. I do not believe that such a person as Jesus Christ ever existed. Rather I believe that Jesus in the gospels is an allegory for the sun passing through the 12 signs of the zodiac. I don't believe the gospels are historical narratives because there is no such thing as a historical narrative that contains world for word dialog of people speaking in complete sentences. I challenge you to produce even one. I don't believe they are biographies either, nor did the authors ever intend for anyone to believe they were writing about a real person. This isn't some new "pop scholarship" that critics of movies and books like "Zeitgeist" and "The God Who Wasn't There" claim it is. Many secular scholars and historians have known and written about this since the dawn of Christian Fascism 2000 years ago. Thomas Paine wrote this over 200 years ago: "The Christian religion is a parody on the worship of the Sun in which they put a man whom they cal Christ, in the place of the Sun, and pay him the adoration that was originally paid to the sun." This is what I believe and it's based on evidence, not faith. That evidence isn't going to change. I know what the story is about. So yeah, I know all about Jesus' brilliant light. He's an allegory for the sun.

There are no "toxically scientific cult leaders." I told you where I had classes in evolutionary biology - at a private CHRISTIAN college. Your own CHRISTIAN academic community thinks you creationists are a bunch of uneducated lunatics and the professors there at my college made that very, VERY clear. Why should I listen to a Bible thumping scientific ignoramus like you? You Bible believers have been on the wrong side of EVERY scientific discovery and theory made in the last 2000 years, even those made by other Christians, like Newton and Galileo. Why should everyone all of a sudden think that this time the Bible thumpers are right when they never, EVER have been before? Not even once. Not ever. When have scientists ever had to revise one of their theories in the face of the never ending, centuries long denials and claims from Bible thumpers? You people are a joke. Science has proved your book of magic and fairies isn't what your cult leaders have claimed it is. There isn't anything you can do about it.

Prayer doesn't work and I can prove it. Millions of Bible believing Christians have gone to bed every night for the last 150 praying that the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection would soon fall as a theory. You're probably one of them and I know Hank is. See what I mean. Not happening for you. Not soon, not ever. What more proof do you need there is no God who answers prayers, or the prayers of creationists anyway? You people are so silly and deluded.

Many times 'debating vigorously' any theological matter, no matter how secondary an issue, results in sin. I caution you to ALWAYS 'speak the truth in love' with gentleness and respect. Where is the proper reverence for discussion, mediation, negotiation and understanding in this blog?

Toxic arguing is not a sustained, sophisticated debate. It is falling from grace. Think it through. Strife is very misguided as a spiritual tool. Stating this only because I care so much in a holy sense. Take good care.Love in CHRIST,

Theological enlightenment? I'll tell you what theological enlightenment is: atheism. Theological matters? Theology isn't even a subject. Probably the most serious criticism of theology is that it has nothing to study. If the existence of a God is in doubt the it is pointless to attempt to "study" God. You can't study something with a dubious existence.

"The study of theology as it stands in the Christian churches, is the study of nothing; it is founded on nothing; it rests on no principles; it proceeds by no authorities; it has no data; it can demonstrate nothing; and admits of no conclusion." - Thomas Paine

You people have a lot of nerve bashing science and hard working, brilliant and productive scientists whose research leads to very tangible results that make the world a better place. Your theological community doesn't include any hard working, brilliant or productive people who produce anything tangible that makes the world a better place. Instead they write retarded books and the most important thing theologians ever discussed was how many angels could fit on the head of a pin. ROFL! That's your theology for you. Theology is just another word for nonsense.

Now whoever is trying to be some kind of peacemaker - forget it. Boris takes no prisoners.

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." -Matthew 11:12

CHRISTianity is a volunteer army. No one is forcing you to Surrender to your Creator. However, consequences follow your sins just as surely as night follows day. The "whosoever will" invitation in the Holy Bible DOES in fact lovingly include YOU. Trust and Obey...for there is no other way...to be happy in JESUS but to TRUST and OBEY. Boris, come to JESUS, just as you are...without one plea. Mainly, you need GOD because you were made for a relationship with HIM, and outside of that relationship you find no lasting fulfillment. JESUS CHRIST is the ultimate Peacemaker and Mediator here and everywhere, Brother. Make no mistake about it! Hank is NOT your arch nemesis, the devil is!!!

Don and James, thank you for your very Brilliant insights. Please receive my heartfelt encouragement and kudos. As underscored in Matthew 21:12, JESUS CHRIST was clearly not a namby-pamby, milk-toast "spineless jellyfish" of a man. HE showed HIMself to be fully GOD and fully Man in every single respect. JESUS' actions were always that of a true Leader and not a cowering follower. Bless the good LORD! Men today would do well to heed HIS example on this. The "dumbing down" of the Male Image is way too prevalent in our Society. The Media has undermined the Male Persona (left and right) with stereotypes like Homer Simpson, Al Bundy, etc... It's a very sad scenario in general.

Now excuse me while I address our "dramatic child" in the group:As far as you go, Boris...you have a history of chronic lying on this blog! Is your story true, or one more lie in a long line of fabrications? I think we all know the answer to that! You are, indeed, a Pathological Liar! Let me make things crystal-clear to you. You are not welcome here because you have rejected the GOD of the Universe. Hank has been put on *ALARM* to Alert the Press, his Lawyers, the FBI, CIA, etc., whatever & whoever it takes to expose you to the public and end this fiasco...once & for all! Hank's Constitutional Rights as an American Citizen have been violated! It's not right or fair! Benny Hinn wrongfully threatened Hank & his Beloved Family. We, as a team, do NOT stand back & idle as cowards in the face of death threats & character assassinations! Ok? We will not back down. Be not deceived! GOD is not mocked! You may not be dangerous, however, we can't afford to take the chance. Everyone here has given you ample opportunity to get right with Almighty GOD. You have tested everyones' patience & continued to spew your false "logic" all in the name of science. You neglected to realize that there are many infiltrators & "toxic illuminati" ties in said scientific communities that have totally deceived you and pulled the proverbial wool over your eyes! If you want to believe in what essentially equates to believing in "the boogeyman" then go ahead! Just don't attempt to drag all of us down to your infantile level of worldview! Righteous Indignation ROCKS!

*promptly collapsing on a bed of belly-laughs* Impressed with my talent for the LOL's yet? ::wink::

Boris, you just don't have the mental cohesion to function. >GASP<*knee-slapping riotous laughter*

The World is changing! The Holy BIBLE helps you keep up!

Take a lesson from others & stop lashing out. This blog is not for your personal "gripe" session.

ADAGE: "Fighting for Peace is like making love for virginity!"Boris, why don't you just stop grumbling & start to make love to your WIFE for all its' worth? Now THERE is a concept for you!!!

::blinks rapidly::

JESUS CHRIST is above question. I have much admiration for all hard-working, genius Pastors, Missionaries, Evangelists, & church laypeople. Great Respect & props going out to them. On the other hand, what a GOD-forsaken joke your words have turned out to be, Boris. *Le Sigh* In one word...your opinions are LAMEzOrz!

Anonymous,"JESUS CHRIST was clearly not a namby-pamby, milk-toast "spineless jellyfish" of a man." Amen! Love how you stated that. Thanks for the encouragement! Yes, manhood in this generation needs help and so does womanhood. I'm actually a young lady, so I know. ;) (Don is just the name I go by on here. James is my brother.)

""Bore Us" (yawn) ::hint/hint::

*promptly collapsing on a bed of belly-laughs* Impressed with my talent for the LOL's yet? ::wink::"Very impressed! James and I haven't stopped laughing!~Blessings to you and yours

I don't appreciate being accused of lying on this blog. If I told any lies name 'em and claim 'em. Otherwise your accusation is itself a lie until you prove it isn't. I've never met a Bible believer that wasn't a pathological liar and you certainly are no different.

How many times do I have to explain to you that I haven't rejected your God. It's impossible to reject something that doesn't exist and your God, the God of the Bible, has been proved not to exist, and Jesus Christ to never have existed. Also anyone who believe in the devil is an idiot. You people believe in some of the most absurd invisible fairies for which there isn't one shred of evidence of any kind and then you bash science just like Bible believers have done ever since the Bible has existed. You failed to address the fact that Bible believers have been on the wrong side of every scientific discovery and theory ever made. Yet you continue argue and worse just tell outright lies about science and scientists just like all the Bible believing liars and idiots that have come before you.

Your threats about what you're going to do to me to save Hank the Liar are hilarious. You're not doing anything and Hank Hanegraaff hasn't got the balls to do anything. He wouldn't debate me even if he did have the time.

I have a very fulfilling life and I don't need your religious delusions to be happy. They don't make you happy. For you misery if happiness because you believe it brings you closer to your imaginary deity. That's not happiness or fulfillment. It's called being frightened out of your mind by the dogmas and doctrines of an evil and false religion. Like I said no adult atheist has ever converted to Christianity and I'm certainly not going to be the first. DAMN you people are STUPID!

GOD be with you all! Thank you for your thoughtful & meaningful words, Don & James. I appreciate your support a great deal.

Mr. Sir Boris, I love you like a "blood" brother, dude...however, this is preposterous!

Listen Up! You have made it clear that you have a vendetta against King Hank. The quintessential question is...Why? We all are simply caught in the cross-fires of your war zone. We are here to fellowship in joy and bliss according to the mandates outlined in scripture. It's that simple. Period. End of story.In love as JESUS' bondservant,

~Ms. Ann Onymous~----------->P.S.

In all reality, it does not make you feel better about yourself to put me down and call me erroneous names. Now does it? You only make yourself out to be socially inept, stunted, and bearing an extreme 'inferiority complex' inside your internal beingness. Think about it. *prayer vigil in full effect now*

NOTE: Boris, just to clarify. I was not laughing at you, I was laughing with you. It was an honest form of comic relief in such a time of stress. I mean it! ISorry if I offended you or hurt your feelings in anyway, Brah! It was just being fun/ny, playful, & light-hearted for the sake of comic levity & exhaling from all the tension & the like. Please believe me. Let's still be friends. Sincerely.Truthfully in JESUS' kind of respect,

James,I said ADULT atheists don't convert to Christianity. Once again some Christian makes an incorrect statement out of sheer desperation. Kirk Cameron claims he converted to Christianity at 16 when he found himself unable to understand even basic high school biology. Kirk Cameron has to be one of the dumbest people on the planet, along with that science-bashing phony Ray Comfort. Kirk Cameron has often said that when he was on "Growing Pains" he was "at the top of the ladder" career wise. Of course Leonardo DiCaprio was also on "Growing Pains." Does Cameron really think his ham acting on a stupid sitcom was far superior to DiCaprio's subsequent career? What a tool.

Alistar Mcgrath was born in 1953 and converted in 1971. Once again, not an adult when he converted. I'd say nice try but all it really was, was a desperate one.

JESUS is GOD! That is why! I don't pretend to know more than GOD & either should you! Where is your reverential fear of the Almighty Creator GOD? You appear to be a 'rebel without a cause' & quite eccentric to boot!

It's important to learn to live LIFE on LIFE'S Terms!!! K?

Boris, for someone who doesn't care about Heaven & all things that pertain to life & godliness, you sure ask a lot of questions! Don't you? Bye-4-Now!

Anonymous,Who told you Jesus was God? Another PERSON, another HUMAN BEING told you Jesus was God and then somehow convinced you that if your did not believe this there would be dire consequences. This person or people appealed to the most base of human emotions: your cowardice. This person pretended to know more about God than you. Why did you believe them? Because you are a chicken-shit coward, that's why.

I don't have any fear of any God because there is no God. Why don't you fear Allah and the Muslim hell? Do you realize you are in just as much danger of being sent to the Muslim hell for your disbelief as anyone else is in being sent to the Christin hell for their disbelief?

Heaven and godliness don't have anything to do with life or the reality of life. They are nothing but insane religious delusions. Your posts reflect your stupidity and ignorance as well as the stupidity and ignorance of all Christians.

As the song goes, "You count it strange...once so did I! Before I knew my Savior!"

Boris, not all Universities teach macro-evolution in their science departments. You have neglected to cover charter, alternative, collegium, technical/vocational training, provincial colleges, private, parochial and HOMEschool networks. HOMESCHOOLING is the wave of the future! Countless parents treat children with intellectual respect by teaching them Creationism (magic, as you would say)*grin on face* and Intelligent Design! Do you suggest they teach 'Dumb-Dumb' Design instead? 'Intelligent' conversely is a GOOD Thing! It's hard for me to fathom that you actually believe that all life came from non-life. That is the height of an intellectually reprobate mind! Let me probe your psyche for a minute, if I may. Please. Boris, how many martyrs shed their precious blood for (macro) evolution? If all "scientists" [in a hypothetical context of course] jumped off of a bridge...would you follow them down? Do you ever think for yourself without the mind-numbing deceptions of secular schools arresting your brain cells? When has Government ever offered anything truly desirable? Think government cheese, housing projects, welfare, and...yes, your "sacred cow" public schools! Sub-standard and dehumanizing education is found governmentally, Sir!

In all reality, I wouldn't believe in religion of the CHRISTian variety either (given your particular set of circumstances)!!! Surprised? Don't be, baby! Betrayal, heartbreak, and (emotional) tormenting torture lends itself completely to loneliness & atheism. I totally understand. I know you better than you know yourself by the grace of GOD. Wow! Just WOW! *sad eyes with glistening tears* I feel for you, bud. I really do!!!! I'm with you and on your side along with JESUS CHRIST!!!!Peace/out.I *heart* you in the LORD!

Anonymous,You are wrong AND you are a LIAR. EVERY CHRISTIAN college and university in the entire world that teaches science teaches macro-evolution as fact. Name one that doesn't. Parents who home school their children and brainwash them with creationist propaganda are committing child abuse. This brainwashing does them no good anyway because if and when the children get into college, secular or Christian, the professors there will deprogram them with astounding success. 3 out of 4 Christian college students reject their faith before they graduate and by the time they reach 30, 94 percent will have rejected their Christian faith. Those stats are verified on this blog and discussed on another thread by Hank himself. Yep, Christianity is truly in crisis with no one left to pass this evil and false religion on to.

As far as Intelligent Design magic, there's nothing to teach because it isn't science. Ever since the inception of this hoax and it's cousin creation "science" the hoaxers promoting this bullshit haven't come up with one scientific advance. If ID magic is science, where are the results? We should be seeing new medicines, vaccines, new food crops and better poisons to protect those crops all coming from this new "science." After all evolutionary biologists can use their knowledge of macro-evolution to create and test all sorts of new products that make the world a better, healthier, safer and more enjoyable place to live. Why can't your creation "scientists" create anything with their "science" or your ID hoaxers do anything productive with theirs? We both know why. Intelligent Design magic is a religious hoax and NOT science. That's why and you KNOW it.

You have no idea what you are talking about when it comes to science. Macro-evolution is nothing more than micro-evolution over time. Look it up if you don't believe me. Then tell me the mechanism in nature that could keep micro-evolution from becoming macro-evolution. If you cannot do this then your whole case is destroyed absolutely.

As far as mind-numbing deceptions of secular schools, I told you many times I graduated from a private Christian college where they had been teaching evolution for decades and of course they still do. I went to that school to play football and become a teacher. Your comments about the integrity of underpaid people who put up with the results of inept parenting for a living make me want to puke. No position is more worthy of respect in our society than that of a teacher. No person deserves our scorn more than a person who disrespects teachers and all the scientists in the world who labor in obscurity trying to make the world a better place. You are truly a horrible excuse for a human being.

Your verbal abuse shows your true hell-bent character, Boris. What a shame! You never did answer me. How come you have a vendetta against King Hank? You've avoided all the questions that confront your criminal behavior on this blog. Who is the horrible excuse for a human being now? That would be YOU, Sir! Get a Life! Does it really make you feel like a man to insult a woman? I think not. Your true colors are showing now. By the way, Johnny Depp is alive! *uproarious laughter* Your scientific web of lies is right where "Boris" the spider would live I suppose. [Reference to a WHO Rock band song]. They played the Half-time Superbowl show last week when the Saints won. Go Saints! Saints Fever! Cheers! GOD Bless you and yours!

Why don't you ask the other Anonymous poster who keeps posting links to books about what a phony and criminal Hank Hanegraaff is what HIS beef with Hank is? Do you think I'm the only person offended by the lies Hank Hanegraaff constantly spews about atheists, atheism, science, scientists and other Christians? My behavior is not criminal but Hank Hanegraaff's definitely is. Don't mind me, I'm just carpet bombing his blog.

You Bible believers have been talking about a "scientific web of lies" ever since the Bible has existed. Your denial of major scientific discoveries and theories is something Bible believers have always done and they always will. Your complaints about evolution are no different than the complaints about the discoveries of Galileo, Copernicus, Newton and the rest of the discoveries, theories and scientists you Bible believers have persecuted and lied about. The history of Bible believers being wrong about science is so profound it proves beyond any doubt that the Bible is of human origin and those humans were backward and misinformed even for those times. You can continue to get your worldview from ancient, backward, animal sacrificing primitives. No one is stopping you. But the rest of the world moved way past that a long, long time ago and we ain't goin back. Wake up and smell the godless 21rst century. Smells like victory.

The 21st Century is GOD's alone! This is a Saintly GOD-Owned Millennium in JESUS' Victory already won at the Cross of Calvary over 2000 years ago! Get Real!

Crime doesn't pay, Boris. As a matter of fact, Crime NEVER pays! You stated in here that "you will take no prisoners" in a vendetta-type incinuation against King Hank. Don't lie again! That is a "firing squad" level 'you will kill them all' threat backed up with all your cannibalism talk directly focused on your very own children! If that isn't the epitome of CHILD ABUSE, I don't know what is! Why do you want to eat your 'flesh & blood' children who are a gift from GOD!? You are, indeed, a tortured soul!!!!!! -Real Talk!

I'll e-mail you from now on, Sir. I refuse to engage in petty, senseless, mean-spirited debate on here that has sunk to such an immature level by you continuing to relay falsehoods on every front. I expect King Hank to "step up to the plate" and help [as a Good Samaritan] evangelize you in that you are the wayward prodigal here. GOD Bless All! ***Valentines holy (((huglets))) to all***Eternal love in JESUS' truth,

One more thing before I go...King Hank's blog is better than a box of chocolates! *smile of sweet love*

Thank you, Boris, for sending me a copy of the radio show you were on with Dr. Michael Brown. Very Kewl! I didn't mean to insinuate that I wasn't grateful. Be Blessed!Mega caring in the Cause for CHRIST,Forevermore...

Cannibalism is the most evil satanic [ritual abuse] imaginable! I would never condone such barbaric practices! GOD is a loving, caring and protective Creator/Maker! Like I said in the e-mail...Planet of the Apes never existed, Sir! GOD does not advocate cannibalism or any other satanic ritual abuse EVIL!!! PULL-ease!! Eeesh!!!

Take good care all. JESUS loves you all tremendously and so do I!In prayerful love in Kingdom Victory,